Autonomous road safety would be improved through magnetic levitation and coral-inspired traction

Goodyear just revealed two new concept tires at the Geneva International Motor Show that could potentially reshape the future for autonomous cars. The company could be reinventing the wheel, as it wants to make tires into spheres.

The designs reflect Goodyear’s need to stay relevant and vital to the supply chain as the needs of consumers and manufacturers change, with safety being a major concern for consumers around the idea of autonomous vehicles.

The first concept, the Goodyear Eagle-360, is a spherical-shaped design concept that would provide self-driving cars with the ability to:

• Maneuver Better: The multi-orientation of the spherical-shaped tire allows the car to move in all directions, contributing to safety for passengers, as well as coping with space limitations such as tight parking lots or city streets.

• Be Connected: Embedded sensors further increase safety by communicating road and weather conditions to the vehicle control system and nearby cars, while tread and tire pressure monitoring technology regulates wear of the Goodyear Eagle-360 to extend mileage.

• Stay in Place Via Magnetic Levitation: The tires would rely on a magnetic levitation system to suspend the car, resulting in a smooth, quiet ride for the passenger.

• Grip The Road: Inspired by nature, the 3D-printed tread mimics the pattern of brain coral and behaves like a natural sponge — designed to stiffen in dry conditions and soften when wet to deliver excellent driving performance and aquaplaning resistance.

The other tire on showcase is called the IntelliGrip, featuring advanced sensor and treadwear technology as a solution for the earlier adopters of self-driving vehicles.

The concept tire is designed to communicate with autonomous vehicle control systems, sensing road surface and weather conditions for improved driving safety and performance.

Goodyear

Originally published at www.psfk.com on March 4, 2016.